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A high-stakes assessment is one with important consequences for the test-taker. Touchstone Institute administers high-stakes assessments for internationally educated health professionals, where the results may affect their pathway to professional practice in Canada. These assessments provide information to regulating bodies and educational institutions about candidates’ clinical and/or communication competencies.

Standardized patients play a key role in objective structured clinical exams (OSCE), a performance-based test that is a key component of most high-stakes assessments for health professionals. In an OSCE, candidates engage in a variety of clinical encounters with a standardized patient, who portrays a role designed to assess the candidates’ competencies.

Our simulation services for testing and assessment

At Touchstone Institute, we can provide:

Simulated professional environment, including exam rooms and clinical equipment for medical scenarios

Observer stations

Standardized individuals to fulfill the role of patient, client or colleague, as required